{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-remove-old-node-python-or-ruby-versions","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-remove-old-node-python-or-ruby-versions","category":{"id":"mac-storage-basics","title":"Mac storage basics"},"subcategory":{"id":"dev-languages","title":"Programming languages and toolchains"},"question":"How do I remove old Node, Python or Ruby versions installed with a version manager?","alt_questions":["nvm uninstall old node","pyenv uninstall version","rbenv remove ruby version","old node versions taking space","list installed node versions","clean up version manager"],"short_answer":"List versions (nvm ls, pyenv versions, rbenv versions) and uninstall the ones no project pins. Each removed version takes its global packages with it.","answer_markdown":"Version managers keep every version you've installed, each with its own packages. List and remove the ones you no longer use:\n\n- **nvm**: `nvm ls`, then `nvm uninstall` followed by the version.\n- **pyenv**: `pyenv versions`, then `pyenv uninstall` followed by the version.\n- **rbenv**: `rbenv versions`, then `rbenv uninstall` followed by the version.\n\nKeep the version your projects pin (check files like `.nvmrc` or `.python-version`). Packages installed globally for a removed version go with it. Package caches are separate — see [npm, yarn and pip caches](/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-npm-yarn-and-pip-caches).","answer_html":"

Version managers keep every version you've installed, each with its own packages. List and remove the ones you no longer use:

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Keep the version your projects pin (check files like .nvmrc or .python-version). Packages installed globally for a removed version go with it. Package caches are separate — see npm, yarn and pip caches.

","answer_text":"Version managers keep every version you've installed, each with its own packages. List and remove the ones you no longer use:\n\n- nvm: nvm ls, then nvm uninstall followed by the version.\n- pyenv: pyenv versions, then pyenv uninstall followed by the version.\n- rbenv: rbenv versions, then rbenv uninstall followed by the version.\n\nKeep the version your projects pin (check files like .nvmrc or .python-version). Packages installed globally for a removed version go with it. Package caches are separate — see npm, yarn and pip caches.","tags":["developer","node","python"],"related":[{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-clean-npm-yarn-and-pip-caches","question":"How do I clear npm, Yarn and pip caches on a Mac?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-clean-npm-yarn-and-pip-caches"},{"id":"mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-delete-unused-python-virtual-environments","question":"How do I find and delete unused Python virtual environments?","url":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-delete-unused-python-virtual-environments"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"How do I remove old Node, Python or Ruby versions installed with a version manager? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"List versions (nvm ls, pyenv versions, rbenv versions) and uninstall the ones no project pins. Each removed version takes its global packages with it.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Mac storage basics","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/"},{"name":"How do I remove old Node, Python or Ruby versions installed with a version manager?","path":"/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-remove-old-node-python-or-ruby-versions"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-remove-old-node-python-or-ruby-versions","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do I remove old Node, Python or Ruby versions installed with a version manager?","alternateName":["nvm uninstall old node","pyenv uninstall version","rbenv remove ruby version","old node versions taking space","list installed node versions","clean up version manager"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Version managers keep every version you've installed, each with its own packages. List and remove the ones you no longer use:\n\n- nvm: nvm ls, then nvm uninstall followed by the version.\n- pyenv: pyenv versions, then pyenv uninstall followed by the version.\n- rbenv: rbenv versions, then rbenv uninstall followed by the version.\n\nKeep the version your projects pin (check files like .nvmrc or .python-version). Packages installed globally for a removed version go with it. Package caches are separate — see npm, yarn and pip caches.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-remove-old-node-python-or-ruby-versions"}}]},"fragment":"
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Mac storage basics · Programming languages and toolchains

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How do I remove old Node, Python or Ruby versions installed with a version manager?

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Short answer: List versions (nvm ls, pyenv versions, rbenv versions) and uninstall the ones no project pins. Each removed version takes its global packages with it.

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Version managers keep every version you've installed, each with its own packages. List and remove the ones you no longer use:

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  • nvm: nvm ls, then nvm uninstall followed by the version.
  • pyenv: pyenv versions, then pyenv uninstall followed by the version.
  • rbenv: rbenv versions, then rbenv uninstall followed by the version.
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Keep the version your projects pin (check files like .nvmrc or .python-version). Packages installed globally for a removed version go with it. Package caches are separate — see npm, yarn and pip caches.

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Last reviewed

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